Wait on the Lord ; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord ! Psalms 27:14 NKJV
*It is so much better to wait on God than settle, or step outside,of His will. Choosing His guidance and perfect will is going to lead to fulfillment. Choosing your own way, aka the permissible will, always leads to satisfaction for a moment. Temporary satisfaction is no comparison to fulfillment in God.
For each one shall bear his own load.
Galatians 6:5 NKJV
*We have a responsibility to represent God in everyway, including in our actions and thought process. However, as you deal with people, be mindful to use the wisdom of God. Every person you include in your life becomes a part of your responsibilities, and vice versa. You want to make sure that you're not including the wrong people, taking on burdens that people should be giving to God, or being unequally yoked in any type of connection. This will help us balance life, and keep the right company. May what you go through in life be a reflection of God's plan, and not your own doing or poor choice in connections.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:23-24 NKJV
*Notice that the word sin is in past tense, meaning that if we choose Jesus Christ, we are no longer a prisoner to sin. We have the power to combat and overcome it through Christ. Thank God for His sacrifice through the death and resurrection of our Lord.
For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord , ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her.” ’ Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV
*No matter what you have done, what has come upon you, or regardless to what is bothering you, God can fix and restore all things. His healing power is limitless and works for spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental healing of any capacity. Ask Him for it, and believe it is done. Negativity of any kind was never meant to be harbored by us.
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord , and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21 KJV
*God is watching how we choose to react to things and people. He is reviewing us to see if we can handle either what we are asking Him for, or if we are ready to go to the next level. How we treat situations now is sowing into our next steps. Remember, in everything we do God is watching and analyzing.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:13-16 NIV
*Many times people believe that they can live any way they choose, and still declare that they are saved and love God. However, we both know that's not true...If you love Him, you won't continue to hurt the Father with practicing sin. Yes, I get that people make mistakes. However, don't confuse a mistake with habitual sinning. Also, we have a calling on our lives, and it's not just to pay bills and die. How you live your life effects your ability to be guided and carry out your calling and will of God. It also effects whether you experience all that God has for you in life. Life is but a vapor... Don't waste by hiding behind excused sin because it isn't excused by God.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:3-8 NIV
*I love these verses because it reminds us to be humble, understand that we have to work together, and reminds us to serve and do it to our best ability through faith. We all are unique, and were put on this Earth for a purpose. That purpose correlates with someone else's in order to push the agenda of Christ. Are you walking in your purpose, or just living? Do you know your function in the body of Christ? Have you asked God to help you figure this out, and do it to the best of His ability to work through you?
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15 NIV
I think many times we assume that God knows what we want, we ask one time and let the be the end of it, or we ask things outside His will and become upset when it isn't received. The first measure in obtaining a desire is knowing whether it lines up with the word of God. Then, ask Him to come into your life and show you what His will is for your desire as you ask for it. What we expect may not be what we should be looking for... Most importantly, don't give up. Keep asking until you receive an answer.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
*Have you ever noticed how people who receive or maintain money are not satisfied? None of us are... We think we have a specific amount, in our head, but notice how when it's received an automatic desire comes up to reach the next financial goal. This is why God wants us to love Him more than money. He can guide us on how to spend it, and how not to let it control you. More money often equates to more responsibility... Are you balancing your responsibility, or is it making or breaking you? If you lost it all today, who would people say you are?
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 97:10 NIV
God is always protecting us.. Even from things and people we think are good, but aren't able to see the underlying issue. If we learn to move ourselves and own desires out of the way, God's guidance will supercede our fleshly choices. The Holy Spirit is their to protect us, give us the spirit of discernment, and help create more spiritual awareness. Take advantage of the helper God created for the spirit realm, and be open to His guidance... It can save you a lot of unnecessary battles and keep your peace.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
Food for Thought:
"Every one of us has a propensity toward certain sins. It is important, though, that we rein in our flesh and that we are temperate in all things because our lifestyle affects our message."
Whatever we do in life effects our witnessing... It's important to still be real, but don't be worldly and allow what you witness to not impact your own lifestyle. People need to see God in you to draw closer to Him. What separates you from the world if you are of it? Do you talk the talk, but have issues walking the walk? What are you doing to keep your heart and mind in submission?
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV
*Many times people feel that God doesn't understand, or that He is too busy taking care of larger issues to be concerned about the little ones... This is absolutely incorrect. No matter what you face, be it big or small, God has already faced it and would like to be your example in how to overcome it. As a matter of fact, He is waiting on you to discuss it with Him. Who better to relate to and keep your secrets, but our sweet and open Lord and Saviour? When there is no one else to talk to or understand, God understands... On a personal note, I've spent many nights crying and/or speaking with God. This is not to say you will not require a connection with a human because no man is an island, but go to God first and see how that desire to run to everyone else begins to fade. We all could work on talking to Him more...
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
We have to remember who is watching over us, and who is always there during our time of need: God. He has all the answers and resources needed to help you, and the comfort that aids in protecting your heart from worry. We just have to remember to seek Him as a source.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 NIV
It's not just what you sow that's important, but the reason behind your sowing. You can do all the right things, but be doing it out of trying to impress or fit in. You can also hold back, despite what God has placed on your heart. Neither of these is from a pure heart of giving. God loves cheerful giver, and He wants us to share from the heart. This is why man looks at the outside and the action, but God looks at the heart and the motive. May God help us not to sow for selfish gain; instead, may it come out of love, and a desire to represent Him. May what we sow and reap be a continuous chain of love, and not be done out of obligation or for bragging rights.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:24 NIV
*It's better to put God first and receive His approval, rather than moving forward with our own plans and receiving disappointment. If God is truly head of our lives, He needs to be put first in all we do. Remember, if God comes first then all things will be added. His thoughts are not ours, and His ways are higher...Why settle for less?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 ESV
*The thief is always looking to still, kill, and destroy... especially when if comes to our confidence in who we are called to be. He loves to emphasize our mistakes, use people to make you feel bad, or bring up what we lack in order to hinder our confidence. However, unlike people, God never called us to be perfect. He just desires that we have enough humility to be used. We live in a society where people see your flaws before seeing theirs, they set parameters to meet requirements, but praise God that He owns it all and is able to use the weak to prove His power to the strong and haughty. I know I'm not perfect, but I am powerful because I can admit my mistakes, work through them, and still be used by God! What about you?
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
*There are times when the flesh wants to throw in the towel, and it gets old being the bigger person or opening your heart for the sake of God's love to impact others...You may even feel drained, and the favor being returned may feel as though it's nonexistent. However, it's these times that we must remember why we are doing things, which is for God, and not for accolades from people. God will use people to bless you, but it may not come in the form you expect or at the time you desire. Therefore, look at your good works as part of your ministry and a tax return that will allow you to catch a big break. Also, remember it is ok to take a break and fill yourself up with positivity and motivation to help you during the dry seasons, but please never give up. There are a lot of evil things that put forth effort daily, and someone somewhere needs your light and YOUR specific thoughts to light their path in the darkness. You are chosen, so carry out His love with the expectation of return and the ability to place your personal stamp of delivery as you disseminate.
1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
*Understanding the responsibility of being trustworthy as a steward for God is one of the keys to winning souls and taking you to the next level. First, what you current have or who you currently have in your life is who God entrusted you with...Are you aware of the value of that trust? Now, think on these things...How do you treat them? Is it all about you; do you judge or criticize more then help;do you keep things well maintained or groomed; how do you feel or treat who and what you have? What we do with what we currently have determines when we are ready to excel and if we are responsible enough to go to that next level. Remember, God sees all we do including those things that we do to ourselves. Are we representing Him in our stewardship? God is telling us that it is REQUIRED that we be good stewards that are trustworthy; therefore, this is not an option. If you feel as though you are lacking in an area or aren't achieving what you desire, then a good starting point would be to evaluate how you treat who or what you have... Most importantly, is it up to part with God's standards?
Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
*If you are a born again believer, you have been given the power to overcome the desires, feelings, and actions of the flesh. There is no such thing as losing control in Christ if you believe in His capabilities and the strength He has bestowed upon you. Anything short of that is something we choose to do. Choose to overcome temporary habits, feelings that contradict what you know in the word, or unlawful desires. We can do all things that Christ strengthens us to do (Philippians 4:13). Now, imagine if we took that to heart...We wouldn't have to blame things or people for submitting to the flesh if we admit the truth of our own choices, and pray to obtain strength to overcome our ungodly desires.
Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
*As you may have heard and know, your name carries a lot of weight... It depicts who you were, where you are today, and can provide signs of where you trying to get to...We call this our reputation. What kind of weight does your name carry? Better yet, is your reputation and weight up to part with God's standards? If we conduct ourselves according to the will of God, no matter what we've done in the past, our name can be wiped clean and depict a new creature in Christ. If we choose not to go this route, our name will reflect who we truly are because that hidden nature behind our name will come out and reflect our true beliefs and intentions...God knew how much your reputation weighs on your ability to minister and reach His people, which is why it holds more value than riches and can provide you with more favor than money can buy. Do you know what reputation your name depicts, and is it a reflection of Christ? It's never too late to make changes, but you have to choose to do so...
